The zonal system for TRMG2 was inherited from the existing model, and Caliper performed a brief review and recommended additional zone splits. These recommendations were focused on addressing two concerns:
Large zones can create traffic loading problems by generating lots of trips and loading them on the network in a small number of locations. Breaking these into smaller zones allows for more-even loading of traffic and avoids spikes in congestion.
A major concern for universities at the outset is getting transit loading correct. Larger zones capture more trips as “intra-zonal” meaning they never leave the zone and load onto the network. For universities, where trips between classes have a significant impact on transit ridership, it is important that these trips travel between zones. In addition, the added granularity gives more accurate measurements of non-motorized travel times, which is important for the university market.
Caliper made several presentations of proposed changes and took feedback from the stakeholders concerning zone edits. The map below shows the final edits. Scroll/Zoom the map below to review them, and use the layers control box to turn the old and new zone layers off.